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Commercial printing and copy services
FedEx Office, RR Donnelley, Minuteman Press
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
This job is about running office machines that copy, sort, fold, cut, scan, or finish documents, then keeping those machines fed with paper and set correctly. The work stands out because it mixes hands-on equipment operation with careful document handling and basic billing or supply tracking. The tradeoff is straightforward: the tasks are easy to learn, but the field is shrinking as more offices replace separate machines with multifunction devices and digital workflows.
Also known as Copy Machine OperatorDuplicating Machine OperatorReprographics OperatorPrint Room OperatorOffice Equipment Operator
Median Salary
$39,020
Mean $41,620
U.S. Workforce
~25K
2.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-15.2%
25.5K to 21.6K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~25K workers, with a median annual pay of $39,020 and roughly 2.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 25.5 K in 2024 to 21.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Mail and Copy Clerk and can progress toward Office Services Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Xerox, Canon & Ricoh Copier Systems, and Collators, Cutters & Folding Machines, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Clear communication, and Active listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up copy, cutting, folding, stapling, and other finishing machines before a job starts.
- Watch machines while they run and change settings if the paper jams, the ink runs low, or the copies come out wrong.
- Sort, scan, and prepare paper files so they can be archived on microfilm or in a digital system.
- Clean, file, and store master copies, plates, and finished documents so they are ready to use later.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up copy, cutting, folding, stapling, and other finishing machines before a job starts.
02 Watch machines while they run and change settings if the paper jams, the ink runs low, or the copies come out wrong.
03 Sort, scan, and prepare paper files so they can be archived on microfilm or in a digital system.
04 Clean, file, and store master copies, plates, and finished documents so they are ready to use later.
05 Track paper, ink, and other supplies, and request more materials when stock gets low.
06 Finish completed jobs by collating pages, punching holes, folding sheets, cutting paper, and stapling packets together.
Industries That Hire
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Office supply and document services
Staples, Office Depot, The UPS Store
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Corporate office services
IBM, Deloitte, Bank of America
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Healthcare administration
Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, HCA Healthcare
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Education and campus services
Harvard University, University of Michigan, Arizona State University
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can qualify with a high school diploma or equivalent, and the role typically needs only short-term on-the-job training.
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The work is concrete and easy to learn if you like equipment, routines, and clear step-by-step tasks.
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There are still about 2.8K annual openings, so some hiring continues even in a shrinking field.
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You gain transferable experience with scanning, filing, supply tracking, and basic billing information.
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The job is mostly hands-on and structured, which appeals to people who prefer predictable work over constant multitasking.
Challenges
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The occupation is projected to lose 15.2% of jobs by 2034, dropping from 25.5K positions to 21.6K, so long-term demand is weak.
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Pay is modest for full-time work, with a median annual wage of $39,020 and a mean of $41,620.
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Automation is a real threat because multifunction printers and digital document systems keep replacing the specialized machines this job used to center on.
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The career ladder is fairly narrow, and moving up often means leaving the role for supervision or a different office job.
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The work can be repetitive and detail-heavy, with constant monitoring needed to catch jams, poor settings, or unfinished jobs before they waste time and paper.
Career Progression
Mail and Copy Clerk
0-1 years
$29K-$34K
You help move paperwork, make basic copies, and learn how the office’s machines and document flow work.
Office Machine Operator
1-4 years
$35K-$44K
You run copying and finishing equipment, fix simple jams, and keep jobs moving with little supervision.
Senior Office Machine Operator THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$45K-$53K
You handle harder setups, train newer workers, and take on the most important or time-sensitive jobs.
Office Services Supervisor
8+ years
$54K-$65K
You oversee machine schedules, supplies, and quality control, and step in when work needs to be prioritized or reworked.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 67.73% of workers in this role, usually paired with short-term on-the-job training.
Postsecondary certificate in office technology or print production
An alternative path used by 9.03% of workers, especially for people who want more hands-on practice with office equipment before starting work.
Associate degree in office administration or business
A smaller route, held by 5.81% of workers, and helpful for jobs that mix machine operation with scheduling, filing, and basic office support.
Bachelor's degree
Some workers have a bachelor's degree, and 17.43% of workers in this occupation report that level, but it is not the usual requirement for this hands-on job.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 56%
Xerox, Canon & Ricoh Copier Systems 55%
Collators, Cutters & Folding Machines 54%
Operations Monitoring 53%
Scanners, Microfilm & Microfiche Equipment 53%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailClear communicationActive listeningJudgment and decision makingOrganizationProblem solving Job Outlook and Trends
+-15.2%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 25.5K to 21.6 K over the next decade, representing -15.2% growth. Around 2.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.